Frequently Asked Questions
Diverse Experiences Abroad
How do I connect with networks of Black/Black American/HBCU/diverse international exchange alumni?
There are plenty of networks of Black professionals who have international exchange/work experiences. Some international networks include:
Passport University
Is it safe to study in other countries?
U.S. government-funded international exchange programs operate with the safety of participants as a top priority. Currently, each of the four programs at the focus of the International HBCUXchange (iHBCUx) Pilot Program have amended their exchanges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, any unrest or humanitarian concerns within a country are taken into account when placing students/professionals in a particular country.
The U.S. State Department (State Department) also provides country-specific information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in that country. Access the list here.
HBCUs and Participating Institutions
Why is the International HBCUXchange Pilot Program focusing on HBCUs for international study?
According to the 2017 Open Doors report, the participation rate for HBCU students in study abroad programs is 0.5 percent. The demographics of these institutions include first-generation, low-income, rural, and non-traditional students.
The International HBCUXchange Team has chosen HBCUs because they serve a large population of Black students, a disparate demographic within the context of international education.
According to the Open Doors Report, 95% of students who studied abroad from HBCUs in 2017 were Black.
The International HBCUXchange is truly a program designed to create an HBCU identity within international exchange programs.
How were the International HBCUXchange Pilot Program institutions selected?
Institutions selected for the pilot program meet the following requirements:
Institutions will have had awardees for no more than one of the participating programs. Institutions with no awardees are preferred. It is the program's mission to demonstrate - with no other factors including current fellowship strategies at institutions - a delivered increase of students, applications and participation within State Department and Department of Defense programs.
Institutions must have an established study abroad, fellowship or student scholar office.
Institution must be a 2-year, 4-year public or private Historically Black College or University.
To eliminate biases amongst participating institutions, and ensure the selection process is fair for participating institutions, institutions where team members have major influence on campus were not eligible for selection (this requirement applies to the first year of program only).
International Education Programs
What are international education programs?
International education programs prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
As an exchange participant you will develop leadership skills, self-confidence, and a greater understanding of the complexities of the world around you. Getting to know the local citizens, experiencing their culture, and living as they do; these are things tourists miss, and this is where you really discover the way of life in another country with all its subtleties.
How do students qualify for international education programs?
For programs sponsored by the U.S. Federal government (the State Department and Department of Defense), qualifications are decided by each program.
For example, the Benjamin A. Gilman program requires applicants be:
A citizen of the United States;
An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;
In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program, or a virtual international program of at least two weeks for community college students and three weeks for students from four-year institutions.
Logistics
What if I can’t afford to study internationally?
U.S. government-funded international exchange programs such as Fulbright, Gilman, Boren and the Critical Language Scholarship all provide funding to students who are selected for those programs. As a result, students can anticipate a highly competitive application process.
For example, the Fulbright Program award provides (on average) the following:
round-trip transportation to the host country
funding to cover room, board, and incidental costs, based on the cost of living in the host country
Accident & Sickness Health Benefits
24/7 support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
And in some countries, Fulbright Program awards may also include:
book and research allowances
mid-term enrichment activities
full or partial tuition
language study programs
pre-departure and in-country orientations
Read more at: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/award-benefits
I’m a Freshman - what should I do to start preparing now for international exchange?
Identify your specific interest for international exchange by asking yourself a few questions:
Is there a question/challenge you’d like to answer?
Is there a language you’d like to study?
Is there a culture you’d like to experience first-hand?
Begin to narrow your interest by country/culture/language to ensure you’re able to articulate your project plan during the application process.
Seek out international education program alumni to better understand this type of experience.
Familiarize yourself with individual program requirements - Is the program open to community college students? When can students begin applying? Is there any overall language requirement for the program?
You can find international exchange program alumni by using social media, referring to your universities’ international program office for help, as well as referring to the official websites and social media accounts for programs of interest (example: Fulbright, Critical Language Scholarship, Boren and Gilman).
What if there is no International Program Office on my campus? Where can I find more information about applications, essays, and project planning?
You can learn more about applications for each of the international exchange programs by visiting the official websites of each program:
Gilman Program application essay:
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/application-overview/
Critical Language Scholarship application essay:
https://clscholarship.org/advisors/advisor-resources/essay-considerations
Boren Program application essay:
https://www.borenawards.org/essays
Fulbright Program application essay:
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/application-components
Do I need to speak a foreign language to study internationally?
Language competencies vary by programs (Boren and Critical Language Scholarship) as well as individual country requirements.
For example, the Boren program funds the intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. undergraduate or graduate students.
And likewise, the Critical Language Scholarship is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
How do you balance university requirements and international exchange?
Institutions have different requirements to maintain enrollment status. Typically, international education programs require proof of enrollment or continued study.
According to the Fulbright program:
If taking a leave of absence to participate in an organized international education term - or year-long study abroad program, or to participate in a substantive internship program, you should consider requesting an exception to an enrollment requirement. These exceptions or decisions will likely be made on a case-by-case basis. Always consult with your university and international education program for clarification to make the best decision for your continued education and exchange program.
What are the benefits of international exchange?
When you experience a different culture through educational and cultural exchange you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you - deepening your knowledge of foreign cultures and strengthening international relationships.
Participants develop leadership skills, self-confidence and a greater understanding of the complexities of the world around them. Getting to know the locals, experiencing the culture, and living as they do; these are things tourists miss, and this is where you really discover the way of life in another country with all its subtleties.
What to Expect
Where can I learn more about what to expect from someone who has been a participant in an international exchange program?
The State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs features stories from program alumni here: https://exchanges.state.gov/us/stories
Other sites and communities exist to share stories and provide tips while living, studying and researching abroad.
FulbrightNoir and Fulbright HBCU are two unofficial alumni-led groups where program alumni share their stories and experiences.
FulbrightNoir sheds light on the experience of Black Fulbrighters all over the globe. They are committed to sharing the stories and projects of black grantees. This organization was founded in 2017 on the social-media platform Instagram, where stories from grantees and other helpful information are shared.
Fulbright HBCU aims to increase HBCU student knowledge about the Fulbright program with a goal to increase Black student participation within the program.
Study Abroad Like a “G” is another platform with a mission to increase the numbers of minorities (ie; Indigenous American, Black, LatinX, Asian/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern/Arab American, and Multiracial) to study abroad.
I’m an HBCU student and I’d like to learn more about International HBCUXchange - where can I send my questions?
In preparation for the Summer 2021 iHBCUx 101 Summit (open to all HBCUs), students may send questions to ihbcux@gmail.com using the subject line “International Exchange Programs Question”
DISCLAIMER:
External links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only.
The International HBCUXchange (iHBCUx) bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external website for answers to questions regarding its content.
iHBCUx does not guarantee that linked, external websites comply with Section 504 or Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. When users select a link to an external website, they are subject to the privacy and security policies of the external website.